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Host (network)
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<p>A network host is a <a href="/facts/Computer/SQe1aK05">computer</a> or other device connected to a <a href="/facts/Computer_network/3w5RM99p">computer network</a>. A host may work as a <a href="/facts/Server_(computing)/dEaYFD7r">server</a> offering information resources, services, and applications to users or other hosts on the network. Hosts are assigned at least one <a href="/facts/Network_address/W7RQVwBr">network address</a>. </p><p>A computer participating in networks that use the <a href="/facts/Internet_protocol_suite/KNkxtSpw">Internet protocol suite</a> may also be called an IP host. Specifically, computers participating in the <a href="/facts/Internet/Xw1rVvJU">Internet</a> are called Internet hosts. Internet hosts and other IP hosts have one or more <a href="/facts/IP_address/z9V22Sw9">IP addresses</a> assigned to their network interfaces. The addresses are configured either manually by an administrator, automatically at startup by means of the <a href="/facts/Dynamic_Host_Configuration_Protocol/lpASHnhz">Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol</a> (DHCP), or by <a href="/facts/Stateless_address_autoconfiguration/K1lLgqKv">stateless address autoconfiguration</a> methods. </p><p>Network hosts that participate in applications that use the <a href="/facts/Client%E2%80%93server_model/FSnf27C5">client–server model</a> of computing are classified as <a href="/facts/Server_(computing)/dEaYFD7r">server</a> or <a href="/facts/Client_(computing)/u0wlVsWI">client</a> systems. Network hosts may also function as nodes in <a href="/facts/Peer-to-peer/wCCdPb0H">peer-to-peer</a> applications, in which all nodes share and consume resources in an equipotent manner. </p>